Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is irritable bowel syndrome? " пїЅ Irritable bowel syndrome, or "IBS, " пїЅ is a condition that causes belly pain and problems with bowel movements. Some people with the condition have frequent, watery bowel movements (diarrhea). Others do not have enough bowel movements (constipation). Some patients switch back and forth between diarrhea and constipation. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of IBS? " пїЅ Symptoms include: пїЅ пїЅ

Stomach pain and cramps, often right after eating
Diarrhea or constipation (some people switch back and forth between diarrhea and constipation)
Bloating
Gas
Feeling full too quickly when eating
Nausea

Is there a test for IBS? " пїЅ No, there is no specific test. But your doctor or nurse can figure out if you have IBS by asking you a few questions, and by running tests to make sure you do not have something other than IBS. Lots of medical conditions can cause the same symptoms as IBS. So it is important that your doctor or nurse check the other possibilities. пїЅ пїЅ

What can I do to feel better? " пїЅ You can: пїЅ пїЅ

Start a diary to keep track of what you ate each day, what you did, and how you felt. That way, you can figure out if anything you do or eat makes your symptoms better or worse.
Stop eating foods that might be making your IBS worse. Start by giving up foods that give you gas and then milk, ice cream, and other foods that have traces of milk for 2 weeks. Ask your doctor or nurse for advice on which foods can make IBS worse.
Eat more fiber, if you have constipation. You can do this by eating more fruits and vegetables. Or you can take fiber pills or powders. (If eating more fiber makes symptoms worse, cut back on the fiber.)
Exercise. Do something active for 20 to 60 minutes, 3 to 5 days a week. Studies show this helps improve IBS symptoms.

How is IBS treated? " пїЅ Medicines can ease the symptoms of IBS. But no treatment can cure the condition. Counseling might also help with IBS, because stress and worry can make the condition worse. пїЅ пїЅ

The medicines that can help with IBS symptoms include: пїЅ пїЅ

Medicines to ease diarrhea
Medicines to ease constipation
Antidepressants (These medicines can help with stress and worry, but they also work by blocking pain. When used to treat IBS, they are given at a much lower dose than would normally be given to treat depression.)
Medicines called antispasmodics
Antibiotics (These medicines sometimes help with bloating, pain and diarrhea in some people.)

What will my life be like? " пїЅ Most people with IBS have the condition for the rest of their life. Even so, most people find ways to improve their symptoms. The key is to keep working with your doctor or nurse until the 2 of you find an approach that works. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 15457 Version 3.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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